Reach

Likely need access all around to reach 36" - 48" deep. Too wide for single sided access.

Parameters

Without knowing why the layout depth as suggested is being considered it is difficult to comment. But, using depths like those mentioned is asking for trouble, IMO. Depths like that will allow for great scenery and lots of track. The problem is maintenance and accessability. A two foot reach seems to be a reasonable functional depth for both construction of scenes and maintenance. Unless the club wants members on both sides of the modules to ensure things work the way they are intended (dealing with derails, etc.) then a rethink of the layout parameters is called for.

Just my thoughts.

Roy

48 inch wide will work if the extra width is for scenery only.

If you keep all track within the front 24 inches or so, unless there is access from both sides, you should not have problems.  There are definite advantages that I can see to using a deeper scenery base to allow the "world" to dwarf our trains.  A backdrop no matter how well done, is not going to be as effective as 3 dimensional scenery.  Make the deep sections moveable to allow for ocasional maintenance as needed. 

By the way, the distance of the right of way from the front edge of the layout varies with the height of the layout.  The higher the layout, the shorter your reach will be.  If the layout height is 3 feet above the floor, you can probably reach 48 inches in, if you provide a place to put your hand down for support when bending over to reach the back.  A layout at "eye level" may only allow you to reach in the distance equal to the distance from your elbow to your wrist.  The difference in viewing angle will determine whether your point of view is "trackside" or "helicopter."

Portable or one time move?

....."4 feet deep, and the rest of the layout having 30-36 inch modules in width. The modules vary from 4-6 feet in length."

Are you planing on moving these show to show also or is the club planning for a possible future move?  These are big for modules. Moving completed modules that big are going to be a pain at best. If its just for a possible future move then it could be do-able but for show to show too you really should reconsider the sizes.   Splitting them down the center in either case is something you should seriously consider.  15" to 18" x 4' or 2' x 4' is going to be much more manageable.  Do you want to try and go through a door with a 4' x 4' module that has buildings, trees and other landscape on it.  Depending on the construction methods used these can get very heavy quickly.

I have built my current layout on the modular design for a possible move. Most sections are 18" to 24" wide and 3' to 4 long.  I have one corner section that a 3' x 3' L and has to be over 50 pounds in benchwork alone (it's 3/4" cabinet grade ply benchwork and 1/2" table top with 4" of foam). And that's without any legs,backdrops or scenery.

Remember, you are talking about modules that are 12 to 24 square feet.  At say 10 pounds a square foot for the module only with a completed scene, that's 120 to 240 pounds of awkward module.  Do you really want the club members carrying these down halls, around corners, up stairs, through doors etc with the delicate layout? 

Again, if it's for a possible move then it should be do-able. For show to show, try a 4' x4' mock up weighing 160 pounds and let a few of the member s move it around.... then see what everyone thinks

Just some somethings for you to consider,  I hope they help.....

Steve

Modular Railroad Design

In the Denver Area,  there have been  a couple of clubs that started as modular groups that either got tired of carrying their modules to shows for short set-ups or decided that they wanted a perminent club layout.  They used their modules to set up a perminent layout in a storefront in a mall space.  After a few years they were no longer a "Modular Group" but a classic club with a "perminent layout".  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the concept of having a modular/perminent layout,  Some home layouts have been built this way also. 

The problem occurs when transporting and set-up are involved if you decide to take the layout on "the road".  A good system of making sure the modules are easily connected MUST be decided on.  Leg length MUST be desided on.  Electrical connectability MUST be decided on, 

You will find that "the bigger the module the better"  is not true.  If you are not careful, a 4'x6' module could easily reach a 100 lbs or more in weight.  Don't think this is impossible, it has happened.  I was a memeber of an On3 group where one member wanted to build a large bridge module set.  It consisted of two 3'x5' modules but the scenery was rock face from floor to 5' ABOVE THE FLOOR.  It took four of use to get each module into his pickup.  The caster also left dents in the box floor AND he could only carry one at a time!

Before you go any further in your Layout Design I'd suggest that you visit some of the modular groups that are around.  The best time to do this is at local train shows.  Contact them and see if you can get in to help them during their preshow setup.  This will give you an idea about transporting and setting up problems

Another help would be to look on line for specifications that have been published.  The NMRA has published specifications for modular dual track mainline modules in HO and there should be some out there for N scale modules.  Also check Free-mo for specifications and look at free-mo group web sites ro see their set-ups.  These places would be good starting points to help get past beginnig mistakes. 

Be aware that some of the electrical connectors used in these spec's are very expensive or hard to find and some are extremely ampereage limited, especially when DCC amperages are involved.  16 gage and 18 gage wire CAN NOT handle the amperage these unit can put out!  Plus voltage drop in these smaller wires is really noticable in modular layouts!

Good luck with your plans!

4X4 - 4X6 - 4X8 are more basic layout than Modular sections

I understand in part of what your club wants and I suggest this solution for what I think your club members are trying to do.

If you want to build mods at 4X6 foot per each member. I suggest that each member build their own 4X6 Module and split the 4X6 into multiple sections of the main Module. Build them as 2 sections 2X6 or 3 sections 2X4 or 4 sections 2X3 that assemble into a 4x6 Module. Then these sections can be build at each members home. Then when you need to take your 4X6 to a Club Meet at a Gym or Warehouse or to a Model RR Show each man can bring his 2-3- or 4 sections to the meet and assemble them in easy to transport sections. Then assemble the multipul sections and it can be connected to other multi-piece Modules when your club has a meet and you will have a large multi Module Layout.

As a club you will all need to make decisions as to how each assembled 4X6 section will connect to the next 4X6 multi-section Module. In this way you will have a club standard to follow and each member will have a fairly large module that can be dissembled into easy to move sections. At the same time these sections will be able to easily fit into a truck or van and transported from meet to meet and save Backs,Walls in narrow Hall ways as well as the module from damage.

Personally I wouldn't build a Railroad this way but, I really don't know what you and your club are trying to do.

You really should discuss this with your club to figure out what everyone really wants and as to why they want to build such large individual modules.

Good Luck!!

Dan

You really should discuss

.....You really should discuss this with your club to figure out what everyone really wants and as to why they want to build such large individual modules.

The debate stems from the N-Scale Bend Track Design of 2 foot wide modules. with HO being twice the scale, they need more. Also the debate is on how many tracks can be made into a yard on a module.

You should go to some RR shows and look at their HO Set-ups

Most Model Railroad shows I have been to and thats close to 150 in 35 years have "HO" & "N" Scale set ups with in a 30X30 foot area. The corner Mods are 2X4 "N" Scale and 2X6 "HO" and all the main sections are 2X4 with 5 to a side to form a large square.

The center section on two sides is 2X6 and one of these has tracks sent down the center with a large "Y" for revercing and that has 4 - 2X4  sections up the inside center with a "HO" 16 track yard 12 feet long. The "N" scale mods have only 12 foot long center with 20 tracks wide yard running down the center of it. This is more than enough track for any of the largest mobil clubs to stage trains in both scales.

Some of these "N" scale & "HO" set ups are much smaller due to cost of rental area at around $100.00 per 8ft X 10ft area = 80sq ft for 100.00 - $125.00 per section per 2 day event Figure a 30X30 area = 900 sq feet your 2 day rential runs you around $1000.00 per club event. now you start building a club RR that takes up twice that amout of space and your there to run your trains. Your not selling product to make money I hope you plan on at least 10-15 sponsors of model railroad equipment to pay for the space. unless your just rolling in money.

I talked to a large club out of Richman Virginia at a Greenburg Worlds Greates Show last year and he said they have 21 sponsers 190 active members and it runs them about $2500.00 per show to set up transport their Portable Railroad then they get a whole 2 - 12 hr days to run the trains when they don't run into a bunch of electrial troubles. he said it takes about 6-8 hours to set up the Railroad and another 2-3 to trouble shoot and clean the tracks the day before the show starts and they have at least 12 members at the show at all times. Of corse this is one of the countries largest HO Railroad clubs and I say all the power to any body that can pull off one of these weekend shows just for the enjoyment and promotion of our hobby.

So good luck with your HO Club and their shows and your large modules and please post photos for us here to enjoy.

Dan

Modular/permanent layout

As I see it the club has found a great new home, with lots of room. Roughly2000 sq. ft. It will house 1/3 N, 1/3 HO, and 1/3 O, combined with coffee table and project tables. Due to the location and liability issues there will be very minimal guest traffic. Therefore It is a Hobbyists dream for  "fun"

The HO layout is planned as a D. The back of the D is 28' long and 4' wide. This will be moduals of 4 and 6' long. This is modular only in case we were ever to move.(Permanent allowing for access to both sides) The rest of the D will be 16' deep and 3' wide,  with 45 deg.curves. The thought is that this section could be transportable moduals of 4' in length. We would build a baloon section of 2-3 2x5 pieces for each end, allowing for a good radius of 28-29". This open backed D would be set against the wall, allowing all operations to be handled from within the D. ( Room for a Table and chairs also) So now with more information, I await your colective response. Thankyou.

The plan is that the club would alternate taking the N scale on the road one year and the HO the next. 

modular layout design

`If I post this will I see the thread ??

Ok, now I'm confused.

When you said "modules" in the opening post, and then described some as being 4 feet wide, I presumed you were talking about a sectional design for a permanent club layout.  4 feet is at least one foot too wide for a portable module.  The modules in the ho modular club I belong to are mostly 2 feet wide with a few that are 30 inches wide.  We have a 6 track staging yard 16 feet long and 2 feet wide that connects to the wye module to allow staging in the center of the layout at shows, and we have a 16 or 20 foot long set of modules making up a yard that is 30 inches wide.  I think there are four or five tracks inboard of the double track main line on that set.  At a 40 inch rail height, it is difficult to reach the back track from the front of the modules and almost impossible to reach the outside main from behind the module over the back drop.  Also as modules grow in size, unless there is serious thought to engineering light weight structure, weight can become a serious issue.

modular layout design

Thanks to all of you for your comments. We are going to get this thing nailed down  soon, (pardon the pun )

Modular Layout Design

 Just saw this thread and thought I'd tell you about our club's modular HO layout. We are the Strasburg Model Railroad Club from southern New Jersey. Our layout is a 120' long linear design. We have built it using mostly 2' wide x 4' long modules. we standardized on these since they are light and easy to setup. We built carts on casters that hold 4 sections each. They have a 1x4 bottom frame and plywood ends and tops. The modules slide in on cleats. The legs are 2x2's that screw into metal plates on the modules. The plates are stainless steel with pressnuts in them. The legs have adjusters on the bottom. A few of the modules are odd sizes such as the 3 sections for the Railroad Museum of PA. They are 4' x 4'. We started this about16 years ago. If you have any questions let me know. I hope that this info can help you and your club.

Barry Rosier

Strasburg Model Railroad Club

1 picture = 1,000 words

So how about some photos? Not all of us have seen your club's layout.

Irv